Improvement in gang-plows



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gym/wig Pmzx'mn AUG 1 1571 if/awww UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIGE.

SAMUEL A. wOETHEN, OE TIIOMsoN, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN GANG-FLOWS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL A. WORTHEN, of Thomson, in the county ofCarroll and State of Illinois, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Adjustable Flows, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing. v

The invention relates to that class of plows which can be elevated orlowered to suit the ground in which they are to be employed. The objectof the invention is to provide a single .or gang-plow with beamsswinging vertically upon a pivot at the rear end of the pole or thills,the beams bein g elevated or lowered by cams secured rigidly to thewheel-shaft, which is turned by a lever, thus moving the cams andcausing them to act upon the lower surface of the beams, elevatingorlowering the same, whereby the depth of the furrow cut by theplowshare or shares attached to the rear end of the beams is regulated.

Figure l is a side elevation of a device embodying the elements of theinvention, one of the wheels l being removed. Fig. 2 is a perspectiveview of the arrangement of the arched bar M, axle I, lever N, and camsL.

A in the accompanying drawing is a tongue or pole, to the rear end ofwhich is pivoted horizontally the swinging plow-beams B, as shown or thepole A may be provided with a recess, in which the front end of theplow-beam may be pivoted if but one plowshare is to be used. These beamsare connected by a brace, C, and are of different lengths. At a likedistance below the rear end of the beams are secured the plowshares F,of ordinary construction, by means of the standards D and braces E. Thedrivers seat H is sustained by the supports K directly above the centerof the wheel-shaft or axle I, upon the ends of which the wheels I3revolve. This shaft is provided with the cams L, rigidly secured to it,having their flanges projecting to the rear, and are so secured directlybelow and in contact with the lower surfaces of the plow-beams B, thegeneral direction of the lengths of the beams and cams being parallel toeach other, and their vertical longitudinal planes corresponding'. Anarched brace, M, having its crown attached securely to the lower side ofthe rear extremity of the pole A, and its ends journaled upon the shaftI, on each side, in closeproximity to the cams L, is so provided for thepurpose of connecting the shaft I and tongue or pole A. The lever N isrigidly affixed at one end to the shaft I, on the right side, betweenthe brace M and the hub of the wheel P, its other extremity beingreduced to a handle, which stands within easy reach of the driver-s seatH. An arched ratchet, R, is placed on the plow-beam next the lever,having its teeth in the direction of the lever, so that they may retainit at any desired position.

The whole device, as above described, may be transported upon two wheelsrevolving upon the shaft I, and of such diameter as that whenthe deviceis stationary and the plow-beams B in a horizontal position the soles ofthe plowshares F and the lower surface of the circumference of thewheels may be in the same horizontal plane.

It is obvious that more than two plows can be used in the above device;also, that shafts or thills may readily be substituted for the pole ortongue A; and, further, that the machine may be transported on a greaternumber of wheels than as above stated.

The propelling power being attached to the pole A, the device movesforward and the plowing is commenced. Whenever it is desired to lessenthe depth of the furrow, or to cause the shares F to pass above anobstacle, the lever N isv thrown forward. This causes the shaft I toturn in a similar direction, and moves the cams L, bringing theirflanges in contact with the lower side of the plow-beams B, therebyraising the beams and elevating the plowshares on their rear ends, thusdecreasing their bearing and lessening the depth of the furrow, orraising the shares so as to pass over an obstacle. A reverse movement ofthe lever lowers the beams, producing a contrary effect to thatabovedescribed. The bearing of the plow is governed by the inclinationof its sole.

The above operation can be performed either when the device isstationaryv or employed in plowing.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

The curved bar M, axle I, cams L, lever N, and segment It, for thepurpose of operatin g the plowbeams B, in the manner'and for the usesand purposes shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing improvements in adjustableplows, as above described, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this16th day of June, 1871.

SAMUEL A. VVORTHEN. [L. s.]

Witnesses:

SAMUEL B. SMITH, AMAsA G. ATHERTON.

